Step 6: Wiring the Switch - READ THE INSTRUCTIONS

Step 7: Final Result

Once you have everything wired and you think your finished the only thing left is to test it. With the second switch I took an extra precaution of pl...

This was intended to be my entry for the weekly switch challenge but it took 3 weeks for the switch i ordered on Amazon to be delivered so I missed the deadline but thought I'd go ahead and post this anyway.

Last summer I bought a chrome metal lamp at a garage sale for 5 bucks. I really liked the chrome. It worked fine for a while but after a few months the push button switch died. Rather than simply replace the switch, which had already been done at least once, I thought this would be the perfect lamp for a touch switch. with a touch switch you simply touch any metal on the lamp and it'll turn on/ off as well as dim. since every bit of this lamp is metal, it's a perfect choice. there are several types of touch switches available. there is one that you plug into the wall and then plug the lamp into it. This lamp doesn't have a threaded rod down the middle so the socket wiring is isolated from the body so i wasn't sure if that would work. There is also a touch sensor socket that you screw in and then screw your bulb into that. This lamp has the socket recessed in to the base so the screw in socket wouldn't work. I went with the hard wired switch replacement.

To spice up the lamp I painted the base and the underside of the metal lamp shade. I'm reasonable certain that the paint shouldn't interfere with the touch sensor but I'm typing this before it's complete so fingers crossed......

Regarding the light socket, plugged in to the outlet/socket adapter, which was screwed into the socket - two things come to mind. Either a previous owner wanted the bulb to sit higher (and didn't have, want to buy, or know to buy, a long-neck bulb) or someone screwed in the outlet adapter and then later couldn't get it out, so then the person "fixed it" with a plug in socket. The latter is the most likely.

I would recommend not taking any advice from this post telling people you can wire the lamp any way changing the leads, you should have your license revoked with that advice thats a shock hazard and is not up to osha reg.

If your lamp has a metal base with a metal rod that connects to the socket then this will work. you don't need a metal shade. you may be limited to only being able to touch the base to turn the lamp on/off.If you check you local hardware store there are other touch switch options that plug into the wall and then the lamp plugs into it with no need to rewire the lamp.I didn't think it would work with this lamp but it may with yours.

Wow. I had no idea that static electricity could fry the thing. This is my first time using a touch sensor. My house is all hardwood floors so hopefully no static :)I would suggest one of the plug sensors but since your lamps switch is bad that probably won't work will it? Switch is $10 which isn't to bad. Just learn from my lesson and study the wiring before hooking it up so u don't fry the switch like I did :)

Thank you! I can't spell to save my life. I've become dependednt on spell checker. If I type a word that's an actual word then I'm screwed. by day I'm an architect, I'm trying to think how many projects I wrote chord, rather than cord? dozens, at least :)

I have two made- in-China lamps that I like but I continually have problems with the switches. This sounds like an idea I need to try. The big thing that struck me though is the ongoing problems I have with switches on vacuum cleaners, appliances and tools. They just don't last anymore. Makes me wonder what kind of fire hazard todays electrical components are creating.

Thanks. i recommend that if your lamp can handle it, that you use either the socket touch sensor or the plug in one. neither of those require any wiring at all. i didn't think those would work with this lamp which is why i went with the hard wired option which was also pretty easy once i figured out what i was doing :)